How to Effectively Roll Out New Branded Workwear During a Rebrand

A rebrand is a big moment for any business. You’ll be updating websites, signage, vehicles, and marketing - but one area that often gets overlooked is staff uniforms.

Your team’s workwear is one of the most visible parts of your brand. If it’s inconsistent, uncomfortable, or outdated, it can confuse customers, weaken brand impact, and leave employees feeling disconnected.

With the right plan, a uniform rollout can become one of the strongest parts of your rebrand.

This guide walks you through what to do, what to avoid, and explore how SMI supported Evri (formerly Hermes) in one of the UK’s biggest workwear transitions.

Why Branded Workwear Matters in a Rebrand

When a company rebrands, every visual detail contributes to how that new identity is seen and remembered.

Your team wears your brand every day, in front of customers, contractors, and colleagues. That makes uniforms a powerful way to reinforce your new identity.

Good workwear does more than look right. It can:

• Boost employee pride - well-designed, comfortable uniforms make teams feel valued
• Show your brand consistently - employees become walking brand ambassadors wherever they go
• Build customer trust - consistent uniforms help customers recognise professionalism and reliability

Neglecting workwear during a rebrand can undo months of planning.

Staff in old uniforms can confuse customers, while poorly designed new uniforms risk disengaging employees at a critical time.

Key Steps for Rolling Out New Branded Workwear

Rolling out uniforms during a rebrand requires planning, coordination, and clear communication.

Here’s how to get it right:

1. PLANNING & INTERNAL ALIGNMENT

Make sure that you:

• Involve the right teams early - HR, marketing, and operations should all be part of the plan
• Agree responsibilities - ensure each department knows their role in design, distribution, and communication
• Set clear timelines and budgets - workwear should be integrated into your rebrand schedule, not added at the last minute

2. DESIGN & PROTOTYPING

Workwear should balance brand requirements with comfort and practicality:

• Prioritise comfort - fabrics and fits suitable for varied roles
• Test with staff - prototypes shared for feedback before full rollout
• Reflect the new brand - colours, logos, and design details aligned to brand guidelines 

You can explore SMI’s branded workwear solutions for inspiration.

3. LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION

A smooth rollout depends on managing supply and deliveries effectively:

• Plan stock volumes - cover all roles and sites
• Keep contingency stock - account for new starters and staff turnover
• Use phased distribution - roll out by region or department to avoid disruption

The MY-SMI® portal helps track orders, manage deliveries, and monitor stock across multiple sites.

4. EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Communicating early and involving employees increases adoption:

• Offer inclusive sizing - men’s and women’s fits across all garments
• Hold launch briefings - explain why uniforms are changing and what it means
• Provide feedback channels - let staff share views on comfort and practicality

5. MEASURING SUCCESS

Once uniforms are in place, measure impact to ensure the rollout delivers results:

• Employee feedback - surveys or workshops on fit, comfort, and brand pride
• Customer perception - monitor whether new branding is recognised consistently
• Compliance checks - ensure staff are wearing their uniforms correctly and consistently

Case Study - Evri’s Rebrand Journey

When Hermes rebranded as Evri in 2022, it was more than a name change - it was a full repositioning.

With 30,000+ staff and couriers wearing branded uniforms, workwear was central to the transition.

SMI partnered with Evri to manage every stage of the uniform rollout, from design to distribution, delivering uniforms that were both practical and visually aligned with the new brand.

The result? A smooth nationwide rollout, positive employee response, and stronger customer recognition.

Read the full Evri case study to see how we helped.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even well-planned rebrands can stumble if workwear isn’t handled correctly.

Watch out for:

• Leaving uniforms to the last minute - production and delivery require time
• Overlooking logistics - poor planning leads to delays and inconsistent rollout
• Ignoring employee comfort - impractical uniforms reduce compliance and morale
• Misaligning with brand identity - colours, logos, and fabrics must reflect the new guidelines

HOW SMI CAN HELP

SMI supports large-scale rebrand rollouts with:

• Branded clothing solutions
• Expert account management
• MY-SMI® for stock tracking, deliveries, and phased rollouts

Our team ensures uniforms are delivered on time, on brand, and ready for staff to wear with pride.

FAQs

How can SMI support branded workwear rebrands?

SMI offers branded clothing solutions, expert project management, and the MY-SMI® platform to simplify large-scale rollouts. 

Why is branded workwear important during a rebrand?

Uniforms are one of the most visible expressions of your brand. They reinforce consistency, build trust with customers, and give employees pride in representing your new identity.

How long does it take to implement new branded workwear?

Timelines vary by scale, but most rebrand rollouts require months of planning. Designing, prototyping, and distributing uniforms at scale should be built into your wider rebrand timeline.

What should I prioritise when designing rebrand uniforms?

Focus on aligning with brand guidelines while ensuring staff comfort. Use quality fabrics, inclusive sizing, and designs that balance practicality with visual impact.

How do you roll out new branded uniforms across multiple sites?

Use a phased distribution plan, backed by digital tools like MY-SMI® to track stock, manage deliveries, and ensure every site transitions smoothly.